FROM the catwalk to catfights, so much more happens during Miami Swim Week besides sun-kissed beach babes strutting their stuff.
Fashion fans, influencers, and designers descend upon the city every year for a week of swimsuit shows, partying, and opportunities to get noticed — and The U.S. Sun scored backstage access.
Normally Miami Swim Week takes place in July, but this year the festivities began on May 29, with shows wrapping up today.
Models from all over the world graced runways in Miami, Florida to celebrate the 20th anniversary.
Alix Earle, Iskra Lawrence, and Lele Pons were just a few who stripped down to their bikinis and showed off their figures.
I was hosted by Art Hearts Fashion, Miami fashion expert Timur Tugberk, and Snatched Plastic Surgery, who offered me a chance to be a fly on the wall at some truly glamorous events.
An all-access pass for every Arts Hearts Fashion Runway presentation gave me direct access to an unfiltered front-row view, backstage entry, and VIP treatment at the Club M2 venue.
My hotel, The Gabriel South Beach, was always bustling with action — in fact, with restaurants, pools, and a beach right across the street, I rarely needed to leave it.
At night, I chatted with models, Netflix reality stars, and famous faces from Love Island.
The swag bags were top-tier and filled with beauty products like Sol de Janeiro, makeup from Billion Dollar Beauty, accessories, and size-inclusive clothing from brands like Bfyne and Capelli.
FASHION FACTS
Over 30 curve models graced the black catwalk on Friday, May 31 at Club M2 in South Beach, a nightlight hotspot transformed into a fashion week venue.
There were two bars tucked right behind the last row of chairs, so you could literally reach over and get a drink without leaving your seat.
Not only were tons of different bodies on full display, stretch marks and cellulite were celebrated, and transgender women were highlighted.
During a Cupshe X JoJo Fletcher swim week show on June 2, curve model Iskra Lawrence strutted her stuff while visibly pregnant in a one piece.
There wasn’t just body diversity present on the catwalk.
Ageism was also a foreign thought for designers like Love for Upcycling’s Jose Alexzander, who had Miami Swim Week’s oldest model Gloria Mantell Pallot walk for him at 96 years old.
“She goes with our philosophy of reusing, recycling, inclusion, and the message behind ‘How is someone that age so healthy?'” Alexzander told The U.S. Sun.
“It teaches us so many lessons.”
“Whatever you have in your mind can happen at any time.”
Pallot may have been the oldest, but a 70-year-old woman with gray hair and a fit white-haired 60-year-old man also appeared in the show.
There was also, naturally, plenty of skin — as displayed in the Pink Melon Swim show’s rhinestone-encrusted thong bikinis.
But definitely the most shocking was The Black Tape Project, where models walked in “swimsuits” made entirely of body tape, leaving little to the imagination.
And while the last shows at New York Fashion Week are typically at 9 pm, Miami proved to be the real city that never sleeps, with the last set going on until 2 am.
BACKSTAGE CHAOS
Because I acquired an all-access pass, I did indulge and wander around backstage during brief intermissions between designer showcases.
Things were so chaotic back there that at one point, I fell down during a quick change — and no one stopped to help me up, everyone too focused on the task at hand.
Back on my feet, I interviewed stylist and swimwear designer Lila Nikole about why she chose curvier models and how her looks landed on sought-after media personalities like Gigi Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski.
I would say that this year was probably the least inclusive Swim Week I’ve ever seen.
Ella Halikas
She said she clocked in over 800 people who stood in the rain to cast for her.
“The number one thing I look for is their walk. It needs to be strong, confident, and powerful,” she added.
Her designs ended up on the bodies of celebrities like Kim Kardashian because she is also a wardrobe stylist and they requested it.
“Even companies like Playboy have reached out to me to get pieces for their editorials,” she said.
I also spoke with former BacheloretteJoelle Fletcher and Cupshe SVP of Design Doreen Brennan following their presentation of a new budget-friendly collaboration.
“People are really attracted to Cupshe because we are attainable for everyone. It’s not only about size, shape, and color. It’s also a price point. Everybody can’t afford a $300 swimsuit,” Brennan said.
Models didn’t really mix with non-models, but if a conversation struck up, they were very down to earth.
Body-positive model Ella Halikas even dished with me about curve representation on the runway — and she divulged that she wasn’t too impressed this year.
“I would say that this year was probably the least inclusive Swim Week I’ve ever seen,” she admitted.
“The majority of brands went with a smaller model, maybe 90%, and maybe 10% were a curve or plus-size model representation on the runway.”
“I do feel like there was less of us out there on the runway, which can be discouraging, but it gives me hope that I can still be there and still pave the lane or path for the next curve models.”
Earlier in the week, many of the models go to tons of castings and are usually not paid for their time, so many are pretty “over it” by the end.
Many were there to party and see some of their friends in the industry, and get more exposure.
AFTER ATTITUDE
There was plenty of nightlife, too — but not as many people enjoying it as you might think.
Not that there wasn’t drinking. Tugberk even offered bottle service in VIP sections around the runway during the long shows.
Art Hearts Fashion held nightly private after-parties at E11EVEN nightclub from May 31 to June 2.
The first night I arrived, G-Eazy was playing as the guest artist.
Many people were shocked to see exotic dancers freely walking around the venue.
NECESSARY NEEDS
Even if there wasn’t a ton of clubbing, there was lots of time to mingle — and learn a bit, too.
A panel discussion hosted by Snatched Plastic Surgery explored the relationship between body trends and fashion.
Snatched CEO Claudia Borges encouraged others to “not follow a trend” and “listen to yourself” when considering going under the knife for aesthetic purposes.
They touched on celebrities and their impact on aesthetics like the Kardashians, size inclusivity off and on the stage, and living a healthy lifestyle.
“Bring the body that you have but bring it at its best,” said stylist Kendria Godair and Dria Dair boutique owner.
